The Nothing Phone 2a is the latest venture from the visionary technology company Nothing. Founded by Carl Pei, the former co-founder of OnePlus, Nothing has set itself the ambitious goal of revolutionizing the technology market with minimalist, transparent and extremely functional products since 2021. The Nothing Phone 2a marks an exciting milestone: As the company's first budget smartphone, it promises to redefine the balance between affordable price and innovative technology. In this article we take a detailed look at the device and see whether the Nothing Phone 2a actually has the potential to be a contender among budget smartphones.
The new member of the Nothing family
The Nothing Phone 2a enriches the range of the dynamic technology company Nothing, which is primarily known for its innovative smartphones, the Nothing Phone (1) and (2) , is known. In addition to these established models, Nothing has also entered the audio market with in-ears, the Nothing Ears and Ear Sticks. However, the Nothing Phone 2a represents an interesting twist by offering a cheaper alternative to its smartphone predecessors.
Design: Creative and Elegant
Design well known: These changes exist
The most noticeable change compared to the previous model, the Nothing Phone 2, is the placement of the cameras. On the Nothing Phone 2a, the cameras have moved from the edges to the center of the device. However, despite these adjustments, Nothing remains true to its design philosophy as the company continues to focus on simplicity, transparency and elegance. These design elements give the smartphone a unique and modern look that underlines Nothing's brand identity.
Performance for everyday life
The Nothing Phone 2a is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro processor that ensures solid performance and efficiency. The Dimensity processor was released by MediaTek in 2023 and can also be found in the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, among others.
The processor offers balanced performance for everyday tasks, multitasking and even some more demanding applications such as gaming or multimedia streaming.
Lots of performance, enough memory
The Nothing Phone 2a will be available in two configurations: one variant has 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, while the other comes with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage.
The smartphone with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage offers a cost-effective solution for users who do not rely on a large number of apps or storing numerous photos in everyday life. The larger version with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage is aimed at power users who are willing to invest in additional storage and improved performance for demanding applications.
Nothing Phone 2a camera
The smartphone has a 50 megapixel camera with a Samsung S5KGN9 sensor, good for photos in low light. It stabilizes images using optical and electronic technology to prevent camera shake. HDR improves image quality in low light. The camera captures movements clearly and takes clear night images. Portraits come with a blurred background and the super-res zoom also brings distant details up close.
Unlimited selfie magic: The revolutionary front camera of the Nothing Phone 2a
This device's selfie camera features a 32-megapixel Sony IMX615 sensor, a significant improvement over previous models. This sensor ensures very clear selfies and crisp video calls. It is supported by features such as HDR, which ensure balanced exposure in different lighting conditions. A night mode also helps, enabling good selfies even in poor light.
The battery capacity - longer and stronger
The new 2a model has a larger battery at 5000 mAh, while the older Nothing Phone 2 only had 4700 mAh. This means the phone will now last longer before it needs to be recharged.
Charging with cable only?
The charging speed of the budget smartphone has not changed compared to the Nothing Phone 2 and still offers the option of charging the battery with a fast charging function of 45 watts via cable. This fast charging feature means that even short charging times can be enough to give the device enough power for several hours of use.
The Nothing Phone 2a does not support wireless charging or reverse charging. This decision could be due to it being positioned as a cheaper alternative to the Nothing Phone 2. Features like wireless charging were probably left out to make the phone more attractively priced.
What does the tech community think about the budget smartphone?
To gain a comprehensive understanding of the Nothing Phone 2a, we've gathered the opinions and analysis of two prominent voices from the tech community. From the impressive display technology to the innovative use of lighting effects to possible compromises in the choice of materials - we give you an overview of all the facets that are relevant for an informed purchase decision.
Marques Brownlee: Balanced mix of design, performance and price with small compromises
Highlights:
- Design: The eye-catching, transparent design and the lighting effects make the smartphone particularly appealing. It is probably the cheapest smartphone with the best design.
- Display: A large display with thin bezels and good brightness improves the viewing experience. The AMOLED panel along with the optical fingerprint sensor under the glass is impressive, especially considering the price.
- Battery: A large battery supported by fast charging, even when wireless charging is missing.
- Features: Many of the functions and software features of the more expensive Nothing models can also be found in the 2a, with a few artificial restrictions.
- Price-performance: The device offers good value for money and is ideal for everyday use.
Criticism:
- Camera: The camera quality is practical, but not outstanding. It's sufficient for everyday tasks, but can disappoint when it comes to demanding photography needs.
- Performance limits: The built-in chip is not suitable for high-end tasks such as gaming, which can limit the possible uses.
iKnowReview: Impressive technology and design, marred by simple material
Highlights:
- Impressive display: 120 Hz OLED, large and thin framed, HDR support
- Large battery: The largest that Nothing has installed so far
- LEDs on the back: These have various functions, such as notification lights or act as a flashlight
- Software: Based on pure Android, with some special Nothing design elements, intuitive and beautifully designed, good long-term support through Android updates
- Camera: Surprisingly good quality for the price, both the main and ultra wide-angle cameras deliver natural images with good colors and contrasts, the selfies are also convincing
Criticism:
- Haptics: The plastic frame, the back and the buttons give the device a cheap appearance, which is more reminiscent of an inexpensive protective case.
Conclusion: Is it worth buying the Nothing Phone 2a?
The Nothing Phone 2a, developed by the innovative company Nothing, aims to revolutionize the budget smartphone market with its unique blend of affordable price and advanced technology. As a cheaper alternative to its predecessors, the Nothing Phone (1) and (2), and complemented by the already established Nothing Ears and Ear Sticks, the Nothing Phone 2a represents an interesting new addition to the product line. With its striking design, the Maintaining Nothing's signature aesthetic, this device promises to be both functional and visually appealing.
Technical highlights of the Nothing Phone 2a:
- Design: Transparent back design and glyph lighting, typical of Nothing.
- Performance: MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro for reliable performance in everyday life.
- Storage options: Available in 8GB/128GB or 12GB/256GB.
- Camera: 50 MP main camera with HDR and night mode, 32 MP selfie camera.
- Battery: 5000mAh with 45W fast charging function, without wireless charging.
Personal opinion:
The Nothing Phone 2a impresses with its design and price-performance ratio in the budget range. It combines attractive looks with solid technical specifications, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious buyers who don't want to sacrifice style. You can get a solid smartphone here for around €300.
Purchase recommendation Nothing Phone 2a:
The Nothing Phone 2a is particularly suitable for users who are looking for a visually appealing smartphone with good everyday performance without having to dig deep into their pockets. It is ideal for those who value a balance between functionality, design and price.
